5 Types Of Cosmetic Dentistry

With the changing needs of today’s patients, we see a lot of new procedures and routines being introduced. So, what is cosmetic dentistry then?

Having a beautiful and wholesome smile is the priority of cosmetic dentistry today. While most dentists tackle different problems with oral health, such as cavities and gum inflammation, cosmetic dentists aim to improve the aesthetic appearance of your teeth.

While the main goal of cosmetic dentistry is the appearance, it also has other benefits to the overall dental health.

Cosmetic procedures available today range from simple teeth whitening to some more elaborate and complicated routines that call for an expert’s intervention. Here are 5 of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures today.

1. Teeth Whitening

What to eat after teeth whitening? With this simple routine, your dentist will achieve either your natural teeth color, which has impaired over time or even a lighter tone if you opt for that solution. The procedure begins with the teeth cleaning: the teeth surface must be clean before the actual whitening, so your dentist will make sure all plaque and tartar are thoroughly removed.

The next step involves applying the whitening solution to the teeth surface, which results in a whiter and prettier appearance of your pearly whites.

2. Dental Veneers

Dental veneers or porcelain veneers are very thin layers of material added to the front surface of the teeth. The goal of veneers is to improve the appearance of your teeth, so these delicate add-ons that are tooth-colored can achieve exactly that. Typically, veneers are built from porcelain, and this material does a better job achieving the natural teeth appearance, but resin veneers are an option too.

These are the most common reasons for you to choose veneers:

• Discolored teeth
• Chipped teeth
• Broken tooth
• Misaligned teeth
• Teeth gaps

The procedure involves a couple of steps. First, your dentist will have to reshape your teeth by removing its surface, roughly around the same amount that will later be added as a veneer. Depending on the need, you may receive an anesthetic. The second step involves making a model or an impression of your tooth. These dental impressions are used in dental labs to produce the actual veneer. Lastly, you will visit the dental office again for fitting. Permanent bonding is achieved with cement, but your dentist will first check if the color matches and if the veneer fits adequately.

3. Composite Teeth Bonding

Chips and cracks on our teeth appear during life, and these minor damages can impact the aesthetic appearance by keeping us frustrated. Composite bonding is a very simple routine and an inexpensive option to retrieve your teeth’s former glory. Your cosmetic dentist must remove the damaged parts of your tooth and then use the bonding agent on its surface. Lastly, a composite is added directly to the surface and then shaped to look as if it was always a part of your tooth.

4. Dental Inlays and Onlays

Both inlays and onlays are referred to as indirect fillings. These lab-produced teeth add-ons are modeled to fit the teeth precisely. Depending on the damage severity, your dentist will suggest one of the two options:

• Inlays are a viable option for teeth with preserved cusps
• Onlays are used when the cusp or a greater area of the tooth is damaged

5. Dental implants

Whether you’ve lost your teeth to tooth decay, or physical damage, there is hope as dental implants can help to restore your smile. The procedure is among the more complicated ones and requires the surgical implementation of a small screw into your jawbone.

The screw itself is a foundation for the crown, which will be fixed on top once the tissue around is healed and ready. With progress in dental science and the availability of new materials, we can achieve the natural look of your teeth.

If you have a crack, miss a tooth, or you simply want your teeth to shine like they used to, give us a call and schedule a visit!